Is Eating Fruit Bad For Me?

Is fruit bad for you? My mother (Mom, Aunt, friend, boyfriend, coworker, doctor) told me it was.

This question passes through my inbox several times a week. Let's set the fruit record straight, shall we?

First off, I don't qualify any food as good or bad. Some foods are better for you than others, certainly, but I encourage all of you to not be quite so punitive about your source of nourishment. There are varying levels of good for you, rather than inherently BAD or GOOD.

Fruit is an excellent source of nutrients and energy, trouble arises when one over consumes fruit. My suggestion (for most people) is 2-3 servings of fresh fruit per day (a serving is one apple/orange/banana, etc or 1 cup of berries) Pay attention to YOUR body and how you feel after you eat fruit.

But fruit is high in sugar?

Yes, fruit has fructose, this is true. However, when you are consuming fresh fruit it also contains fiber which slows down the conversion of fructose to glucose in your system. i.e. Eating a piece of fruit is a VERY different thing than consuming a teaspoon of sugar. You will not get the same blood sugar surge.

Fruits are easy to  digest, are cleansing and cooling and are great for those who are over-stressed and over-heated from excessive mental strain or hot climates. Fruits are filled with fiber and liver stimulants, which act as a natural, gentle laxative. Whenever possible, buy fresh, locally grown fruit as opposed to imported fruits shipped form far off places. This can keep you eating ‘in season', which helps us to feel more in harmony with our environment and climate.

Eating raw fruit in summer months increases its cooling effect, while baking in the winter months  neutralizes its cooling effect.

Whether you are having fresh fruit for a light early morning breakfast, a mid day snack or evening treat,  enjoy nature's sweetness and when ever possible buy organic! (at the very least be sure to buy organic if the fruit is listed on the dirty dozen, read that list here) 

Here are some fruits and their health benefits:

Apricots : Great for lung conditions and asthma and are used to help treat anemia due to their high copper and cobalt content. I love fresh apricots in the summer or dry apricots in the fall. Try adding chopped apricots to a pan of sautéed onions, add quinoa and toasted almond and stuff an acorn squash with this apricot quinoa stuffing. Bake and enjoy!

Bananas : Help lubricate the intestines, help treat ulcers, aid in detoxifying the body, help sugar cravings and are rich in potassium which helps hypertension.  Try my newest banana creation,chocolate chip banana bread!

 

Cherries : Slightly warming in nature, they increase overall body energy, remedy arthritis and rheumatism, and are rich in iron, which improves the blood.

 

 

Grapefruits : Treat poor digestion, increase appetite during pregnancy and alleviate intestinal gas, and  reduce mucus conditions of the lungs.

Papayas : Tone the stomach, act as digestive aid, moisten the lungs and alleviate coughing and contains carpaine, an anti-tumor compound.

Raspberries : Benefit the liver and kidneys, cleanse blood of toxins, regulate menstrual cycles, treat anemia and can promote labor at childbirth.